Earlier road closure during Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has proposed for an earlier road closure to accommodate more pedestrians during the Sinulog Festival.

"As early as Friday before Sinulog, we will close some roads and convert them into pedestrian area," Rama told reporters following a meeting yesterday with Sinulog Foundation officials.

The mayor particularly wanted the closure of notable areas within the carousel route.

These areas include the General Maxilom Avenue, J. Llorente Street, B. Rodriguez Street, R. R. Landon Street and the P. Del Rosario Street near the Santo Rosario Parish Church.

"Let us remember that the Saturday has the religious procession and of course the street dancing the following day. To make way for preparations, we will close some of these roads," Rama said.

Concrete barriers along the roads to be closed will be replaced with plastic ones for portability, he explained.

Crowd control, the mayor said, is one major aspect to be dealt with during the Sinulog.

Also discussed during the meeting was the creation of a Sinulog executive committee tasked to focus on crowd control.

"There is a resolution passed creating the execom to meet at least once a month, much better. They will also regularly be reporting before the board of trustees on updates as to the preparation," Rama said.

Sinulog Foundation chairman Ricky Ballesteros said they plan to improve the accommodation and transportation as a way of making Cebu's biggest festival more attractive to out-of-town contingents.

In addition, Ballesteros proposed to organize a party after the Sinulog at the South Road Properties, aiming to divert people from flocking the downtown area.

To get fresh ideas on new attractions to further entertain millions of tourists during the festival, the foundation will hold a seminar-workshop with the youth on August 20.  — /LPM (FREEMAN)